Yes, there is such a thing as a FREE lunch — especially when you dine out with a friend! Normally I stick with national deals, but this one was too good not to share for my friends in North Texas…

Scotty P’s is one of my favorite burger joints in North Texas. Just try their onion rings and you’ll be hooked! TODAY you can get a FREE burger when you buy one. They just posted this on Facebook: “Tell our cashier Facebook & Twitter said today is FREE BURGER FRIDAY! Buy any burger & get a 2nd burger of equal or lesser value FREE 7/30/10 ONLY. $6 Max.” (Not valid with other offers.)

So, grab a friend and head out for lunch or dinner. Be sure to say it is your treat! And, if you’re not a burger fan I highly recommend their Greek salad. (I always get the dressing on the side.)

If you haven’t been to the Texas Discovery Gardens & Butterfly House at Fair Park in Dallas, you should definitely put it on your calendar! We visited it a couple of years ago and it was gorgeous. The lush grass and canopy of shady trees just begs for a picnic, and my son (then 2) couldn’t decide which was more fun — running around the giant fountain or sitting at the edge of the fish pond, watching the fish, frogs, and bugs.

Admission (for both the Gardens & the Butterfly House) is normally $8 Adults, $6 Seniors (60+), $4 Children (3-11), and free for under 3. Save a bundle with this deal! TODAY you can buy 4 tickets to the Texas Discovery Gardens & Butterfly House for just $12 total! If you’ll be in the DFW area any time between now and the end of 2010, definitely consider this one.

There’s a limit of two purchases per person, so get one 4-pack for you and give one 4-pack as a gift! This would make an especially good gift to folks who are new to the area or who will have company in town at any point between now and December 31, 2010. (Note that there is an additional admission fee during the State Fair, Sept. 24 – Oct. 17.)

SAVE THE DATE! Get your cooler, sunscreen, and big ‘ol floppy hat ready — and don’t forget the camera too! THIS THURSDAY, July 15, 2010, is $1 admission day at the Dallas Zoo!

My advice is to get there as the gates open. Arrive at 8am sharp to avoid a parking and traffic zoo (no pun intended) or make it an adventure by taking the DART Red Line. Wear the comfiest shoes you have, and pack the kids’ bathing suits, water shoes, water hats, and towels because you’ll want to take them to the “brook” in the Lacerte Children’s Zoo for a splashing good time!

Per their press release, “Dollar deals will be available at the Zoo throughout the day, including $1 food items such as hot dogs, chips, popcorn, and snow cones on Cat Green and $1 frozen treats near the exit. The Zoofari Market will have great deals on drinks and snacks and big bargains on souvenir items.”

Though the air-conditioned cafe in the middle of the zoo has tasty treats, I recommend packing your own lunch so you can munch on healthy fare as you go (carrots make an easy snack!). Bring your water bottles and refill them at the water fountains! The zoo is very wagon- and stroller-friendly, so that’s an easy way to haul your stuff! Oh, and did I mention to bring sunscreen? Just don’t forget to reapply it. They sell it in the gift shop if you happen to forget.

The $1 admission is an amazing deal! If you plan to return a few more times in the next year, I urge you to consider a Dallas Zoo membership. You’ll get free parking (a $7 value per visit), free admission, gift shop discounts, and tons of other perks depending on the membership you choose. Dallas Zoo memberships make FABULOUS gifts! That’s how we got our first membership to the Dallas Zoo — my parents gave it to us as a Christmas gift. And it is the best kind of gift — no need to dust it, clean it up, or exchange it for a different size!

Lunch is solved for today! How about a GREAT sandwich for just 99cents? TODAY Which Wich is offering their sandwiches for just 99cents in DFW, Houston, and Austin. YUM! Their famously huge sandwich, The Wicked, is just $1.99 today.

One of our readers alerted us to this FREE waxing deal! Ladies can receive a FREE eyebrow, bikini line or under arm waxing, and guys can receive a FREE eyebrow, ear, or nose waxing.

She writes…

“I read your blog regularly and came across a great deal you might enjoy. My friend alerted me to a new waxing place that opened up at Lovers Ln. & Greenville Ave. (in Dallas). It’s called European Wax Center (www.waxcenter.com). Right now, your first visit is free if you get an eyebrow, bikini line or under arm wax. I went last night and got my eyebrows done for FREE. All I had to pay was the tip!

The place is pristine and professional. I made an appointment earlier in the day and when I walked in they knew my name. The wax technician took her time (15-20 minutes) and did a thorough job. It was incredibly relaxing. The best part was that when I left, they gave me a card for $5 off my next visit! An added bonus is that you get $5 off for every friend you refer. Check out their website for more info and other locations. You won’t be disappointed!”

Now that’s one heck of a referral — and she has no ties to the establishment whatsoever. Just wanted to share with you this fabulous deal! They have several locations across the country, so find a European Wax Center near you.

What do you get the person who really doesn’t need anything else? Here’s the PERFECT gift! “Adopt” an animal from your local zoo on their behalf.

I gave the gift of a pair of lovebirds to my grandparents last year (who had been married for 68 years!) and they thought it was simply fabulous. Check with your local zoo on their “adoption” program, or check out the one at The Dallas Zoo.

Educating resourcefully

There are so many ways to teach simply through everyday experiences, and to have a lot of fun along the way. Check out LITTLE SPONGES for easy, tangible ideas for teaching your child outside of the classroom!